Neuralgia - boy does that hurt. But why does it hurt? And did you know that there's numerous different types of Neuralgia?
Body Surface Pain is usually a
term that refers to Neuralgia, Scar Pains and other tender spots around the
body. For the basis of the this page Im going to focus on Neuralgia – and specifically
the atypical Fascial Neuralgia and trigeminal neuralgia, which is the one most
of us experience at some time or other in our lives and know full well how much
it can hurt!
For information about other types
of neuralgia please feel free to visit the excellent http://facial-neuralgia.org/
Symptoms
Neuralgia symptoms are often
described as burning, aching, cramping, pinching and pulling type pains which
occur on the side of the face. More often than not this area is around the
trigeminal nerve which extends into the upper neck or the back of the scalp.
Trigeminal neuralgia is particularly painful however the pain can ease and go
away; Unlike ATFP (Atypical Facial Pain) which is constant and offers very few –
if any – periods of remission and therefore relief from pain.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing ATFP is difficult. Often times ATFP sufferers
have undergone large amounts of dental work, and have seen multiple doctors and
endure multiple tests before their condition is successfully diagnosed. On top
of this diagnosis of ATFP is usually a case of eliminating all other
possibilities to leave you with only ATFP left as the answer for your pains.
Tests you or the patient may have to undergo include MRI and
CAT scans focusing on the skull and its base. Also dental evaluation and a
through neurological exam. Only once these tests have ruled out other causes
for the pain can ATFP be properly diagnosed.
Treatments:
After all that palaver of finally being diagnosed, what can
they do to treat your ATFP? Sadly the
treatment is just as much a journey as the diagnosis was, with medication
nearly always the first port of call. Drugs that may be used in the treatment
of ATFP include:
·
Amitryptyline (An anti-depressant commonly used
for the treatment of pain as a side-line)
·
Gabapentin (An anti-convulsant)
·
Pamelor
·
Capsaicin
Aside from medication there are some alternative pain relief
regimes that the ATFP patient and their doctors can try out. Such as:
·
Compresses – hot or cold
·
Acupuncture
·
Biofeedback
·
Dental splint
Written by: Jason D.
Webmaster and Chronic Neuropathic Pain Sufferer
www.chronicpainsupport.info
www.ostomysupport.info Copyright © by Chronic Pain Support All Right Reserved. Published on: 2005-11-04
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